Ted Robbins in “good spirits” after collapse

BBC Radio Lancashire Presenter, Ted Robbins was due to have a “routine” heart operation in the next three weeks following his collapse on stage on Saturday.

BBC Radio Lancashire Presenter, Ted Robbins was due to have a “routine” heart operation in the next three weeks following his collapse on stage on Saturday.

The actor’s sister, actress, singer and comedienne, Kate Robbins, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast Show that the 59-year-old had rheumatic fever as a child and that he has always had a ‘dodgy’ heart valve.

She said: “He’s doing great. He did have a cardiac arrest. Thanks to the really quick thinking of a doctor and a paramedic in the audience, he received a life-saving procedure.

“Ted has rheumatic fever as a child, which affected a heart valve - so we knew there was a problem. He was due to have a routine heart operation in the next three weeks.

“People think he’s a big guy so he must have had a heart attack. It not as simple as that. He’s always had a dodgy valve.

“He’s actually been quite a fit man most of his life. This has just been an horrendous thing for us all.”

Ted was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital after collapsing on stage on the opening night of Phoenix Nights Live at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.

A medic came out of the 10,000 sell-out crowd to tend to him before he was taken to hospital.